A Ledger Blog

News, notes and observations about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If draft classes were the sole indication of how well a general manager performed, then former Bucs general manager Mark Dominik would be working at a C to C- grade. It’s just strange to me to see nearly two entire draft classes gone from a team in such a short amount of time. I guess the NFL does mean not for long. Anyway, Dominik’s entire 2009 class, led by first-round draft pick Josh Freeman, is gone. The only one left… Read More »

At the beginning of the season, the Tampa Bay Bucs owners felt the club had assembled a team that could contend for the playoffs for a long time. After a 4-12 season, someone had to pay. The Glazers felt that both head coach Greg Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik would both pay the price. The Glazers fired both Dominik and Schiano on Monday. “We didn’t get it done,” Schiano said at his own press conference at the Renaissance Tampa… Read More »

Already without the services of safety Dashon Goldson, who is getting a one-week unpaid vacation courtesy of the NFL (repeated helmet-to-helmet violator), the Tampa Bay Bucs found out they will be missing their middle linebacker Mason Foster for Sunday’s Detroit game as well. Foster suffered a concussion last week and was not cleared to practice all week. The Bucs officially announced he will be out for Sunday’s contest. “We’ll have some different combinations at linebacker to fill in for Mason… Read More »

The Tampa Bay Bucs only made two picks in the NFL Draft on Friday but coach Greg Schiano liked what his squad got. With their first pick (No. 43 overall) in the second round chose cornerback Johnthan Banks from Mississippi State. With the second pick (No. 73) in the third round, the Bucs chose quarterback Mike Glennon out of N.C. State. Schiano didn’t hesitate when asked his thoughts of Friday’s picks. “Excellent,” he said. “I think we really got better… Read More »

Tampa Bay Bucs general manager Mark Dominik is a finalist for the 2012 Salute to Service Award, given to the person who exhibits extra effort in honoring and supporting the military. Dominik is up against Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman for the national award. The winner, as well as a $25,000 donation in the winner’s honor, will be announced Feb. 2 during the 2nd Annual NFL Honors award show. Dominik has been very active in connecting with the military and… Read More »

The Tampa Bay Bucs don’t think they did anything that warranted a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty Sunday against the New Orleans Saints but they’re ready to move on. For those who don’t know the play or don’t remember, here’s a link to a story. General Manager Mark Dominik said Tuesday he spoke with the league office and was told the shift itself was legal but officials felt linebacker Mason Foster was simulating the Saints’ snap count, which is illegal. “Everything… Read More »

Tampa Bay General Manager Mark Dominik hasn’t gotten much rest since free agency started Tuesday but in the fury he has been able to sign close to 40 contracts, including reupping offensive linemen Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood. Joseph got a seven-year deal reportedly worth more than $52 million. Trueblood was re-signed for two years. “A couple of years ago when we took over, coach (Raheem) Morris and I talked about protecting and attacking the quarterback,” Dominik said. “In the… Read More »

Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik was credited with bringing in the personnel that helped the Bucs go 10-6 during the last NFL season. On Monday, he was rewarded with a four-year contract extension by the Bucs. Dominik is credited with being the lead man on the last two drafts for the Bucs, which uncovered Josh Freeman, Mike Williams and Cody Grimm. He’s also credited with finding free agents, such as LeGarrette Blount.

In addition to his starting quarterback on the rack, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris was added on Monday. Morris had to call off his scheduled talk with the media because of a stomach virus. General Manager Mark Dominik took his place and gave an update. Dominik said starting quarterback Josh Freeman is still scheduled to be ready to play by the opening week of the regular season. Freeman fractured the top tip of his thumb during Saturday’s preseason… Read More »

Donald Penn has a decision to make. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting left tackle has not signed his one-year tender offer of $3.168 million and has not attended any of the team’s offseason training activities. On Thursday, Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said if Penn doesn’t sign by June 15, the Bucs will retract their tender offer and offer him 110 percent of last season’s salary. Penn made a reported $2.8 million in 2009. “We want him to sign the tender… Read More »